As children grow up, their sense of self evolves, including their confidence and self-worth. Supporting their self-esteem — regardless of accomplishments – is vital for your teen’s mental well-being
Although we try our best to protect teenagers from life’s hardships, challenges and emotional changes are inevitable. Therefore, teaching resilience helps them navigate difficulties with confidence and adaptability.
In today’s blog, we will outline five steps for raising confident, resilient teengares.
Table of Contents
Create a Warm, Trusting Environment
The first step to raising a confident, resilient teenagers is to show you trust them. From allowing young children to put on their shoes independently to letting teenagers handle college applications, demonstrating trust fosters self-reliance. Another way to instill trust is by reframing anxious thoughts into opportunities. For example, if your teen is nervous about getting into college you might say: “I know you want to get into this university, but I am confident you can handle any outcome. If you don’t get in, it’s an opportunity to explore other schools that offer different experiences that might be an even better fit.” This approach reassures teengs that they can handle challenges while keeping an open mind about the future.
Promote Self-Esteem
Boosting self-esteem starts with recognizing past achievements. Remind them how they have overcome past challenges to help them build confidence in their abilities. Setting smaller goals—which can lead to a bigger goal—can also help build confidence, as they collect little victories. Celebrating small accomplishments and consistent positive reinforcement can also reinforce their belief in themselves.
Emphasize Growth and Adaptability
Change can be scary for anyone, regardless of age. However, it is inevitable and necessary, which is important to highlight. Show your teenager that it’s okay to fail, change, or make new goals. It is also perfectly normal for values and aspirations to shift as teens get older. People often discover the most about themselves when they are going through a particularly tough time—therefore, although these moments are hard, they are vital for self-growth.
Shift Their Focus
In many high-anxiety situations, teens may get hyper-fixated on something that is out of their control. Practice reframing thoughts around focusing on what they can control. Encourage them to consider the bigger picture. For instance, if they’re worried about what to wear to school, remind them a week from now, they likely won’t even remember their decision. This perspective helps ease unnecessary stress and builds problem-solving skills.
Encourage helping others
By encouraging empathy and active listening, teens will better develop meaningful connections with peers, which strengthens their support system. A strong social network is crucial for both confidence and resilience.
Volunteering is an excellent way for teenagers to gain a sense of purpose and control over their environment. Whether they help at an animal shelter, tutor younger students, or assist in a music class, giving back fosters self-worth while allowing them to develop new skills and interests.
By fostering trust, promoting self-esteem, and encouraging adaptability, you can help your teen navigate life’s challenges with confidence. If you feel you need further guidance in promoting confidence and resilience in your teen, or if you feel your teenager would benefit from speaking to a teen therapist, book a consultation with Relucent Psychology Group today!
